Residents Urged to Park Cars in Municipal, Public School, Church, and Community Parking Lots

Residents Urged to Park Cars in Municipal, Public School, Church, and Community Parking Lots to Allow Snow Removal Equipment Access to Roads

Newark, NJ – January 26, 2015 – Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced today that he has declared a state of emergency, as the City of Newark braces for more than two feet of snow this evening and tomorrow. Residents without driveways or off-street parking are urged to park their cars in municipal, Newark Public Schools, church and community parking lots to allow snow removal equipment access to roads. In addition, all non-emergency vehicles must be off municipal, county and state roads by 10 p.m.

During snowstorms, the City mobilizes personnel and vehicles to spread salt and plow roads as conditions dictate. The first priority for salting is hills, bridges, and major arteries that lead in and out of the City’s borders. Residents should not shovel snow back onto streets after they have been plowed. This becomes a safety hazard and an additional cost to the City because the road has to be re-plowed. The City of Newark requests the cooperation of all residents to help the snow cleanup effort.

“The City of Newark is facing a major snowfall tonight and tomorrow. I encourage residents to stay home and off the roads during and after the storm, as we move to clear the streets. Keep your cars parked in your driveways if possible. If that is not possible, park your car in the nearest municipal, Newark Public School, church or community organization parking lot to allow emergency and snow removal equipment access to roads and facilities,” Mayor Baraka said. “I urge everyone to abide by our ordinances. When you shovel snow, please keep it out of the street, for the safety of motorists and emergency vehicles, and do not shovel it onto fire hydrants. When driving, take your time and drive safely. If we all work together during this snowstorm, we can continue to transform Newark into a City we can all believe in.”

Residents should stay tuned to local weather reports to stay abreast of the forecast and visit the City’s website at www.ci.newark.nj.us or Twitter account at www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj.